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Beach holidays in Italy don't get dreamier than these beauty spots
Hello sunshine, my old friend
Beach lovers looking for a holiday that combines sparkling sea, laidback Mediterranean vibes and plenty of Insta-perfect photo opps, should head for Italy for la dolce vita this summer.
With its fun party towns, glamorous sands and not forgetting the incredible food, beach holidays in Italy don't get better than these gorgeous places we've picked from the north to the south of the country. What's more, some of these seaside spots are more affordable than you'd think. Who needs Greece or Spain? We're heading to Italy this year!
Have a scroll through these Italian beach holiday ideas for the ultimate summer getaway in the sun with your girlfriends or other half...
Sardinia
Its heavenly sands and turquoise waters could easily be mistaken for the Seychelles, and Sardinia was once named the cheapest place for a package holiday (we know - madness, right? But who's arguing with that?)
During your time on this gem of an island, you'll find one of the finest beaches, Spiaggia del Principe, on the Costa Smeralda, with many more Insta-worthy beaches dotted around the island. On The Beach has four-star Sardinia escapes from £773 per person this year.
Neapolitan Riviera
No Italian beach destination is as iconic as the Neapolitan Riviera, where you'll find the likes of Amalfi, Sorrento and Positano, with their incredible pastel-coloured backdrops and A-list credentials (name us a celeb who hasn't holidayed here).
With its pretty towns, glamorous islands like Capri and plenty to see and do (think day trips to Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii), this is a fine spot for a beach holiday in southern Italy. On the Beach offers Neapolitan Riviera getaways from £503 per person.
Sicily
The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea naturally comes with an array of sandy stretches for soaking up the sun in Sicily. Mondello (pictured), Calamosche and San Vito Lo Capo are some of the best beaches.
What we love most about Sicily is that there are many top sands found in its cities, such as Palermo and Cefalu. On the Beach offers holidays from £346 per person.
Rimini
With a sea of multicoloured umbrellas that stretch out in front of you as your approach the famous Rimini Beach, this isn't a location to be missed. There are plenty of fashionable bars and clubs to see you right through the night in this beach city on the Adriatic Coast. It's also a great place to holiday like the Italians - and experience one of the country's top party spots.
Expedia offers beach holidays to Rimini, where you can experience its superb sands and nightlife.
Puglia
Offering all the charm, scenery and incredible food you want from an Italian beach holiday, Puglia ticks all the right boxes thanks to its stunning coastal towns that maintain their tradition. Polignano-a-Mare (pictured), Otranto and Gargano are some of the most beautiful destinations for beach lovers.
BA has Puglia holidays, with flights to Bari.
Tuscan Riviera
Giorgio Armani is a fan and Tuscany's 250 miles of coastline is just as fashionable among other Italians who flock to the likes of Forte dei Marmi (pictured). Italy's answer to the Hamptons is home to sprawling sands and designer boutiques. Meanwhile, Viareggio, around 20 minutes away, is another seaside resort locals love in the summer.
Expedia covers Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio holidays from £428 per person, with flights to Florence.
Lake Garda
The Mediterranean isn't the only place for finding beach bliss in Italy and if you head north to the Italian Lakes, there are 28 miles of beaches in Lake Garda. Spiaggia Sabbioni in Riva del Garda, Jamaica Beach in Sirmione and Spiaggia Tifu in Limone sul Garda are some of the most picturesque spots for swimmers.
Expedia offers Lake Garda beach holidays from £351 per person, with flights to Milan.
Italian Riviera
This idyllic cove with an abbey as its backdrop is one of the loveliest beaches of Liguria. San Fruttuoso, near Portofino, is just one place to lay out your towel on the Italian Riviera, which is a popular weekend spot among urbanites living in Milan or Turin.
Other sun-kissed spots are Varigotti, Levanto and Balzi Rossi. Expedia offers holidays in Liguria.
Elba
The Italian island of Elba is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, the largest of the Tuscan Archipelago. It was the location of Napoleon's first exile, but these days it is a haven for beach lovers. Fine sands and pristine seas make its bays exceptionally beautiful, with two of the most popular spots being La Biodola and Cavoli.
Expedia offers holidays in Elba, with fligths to Pisa.
Calabria
On the 'toe' of the Italian boot, Calabria is full of surprises, with forested ski resorts, ancient ruins, ridiculously good good and 500 miles of coastline dotted with Blue Flag beaches. Its most famous spots include Tropea Beach, with its crystal-clear waters.
BA offers Calabria holidays via flights to Naples.
Roshina is a contributing editor to Hearst UK. She was previously Senior Travel Editor, where she covered titles including Country Living, Red, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar and Good Housekeeping.
When she's not scoping out the next destinations we should explore (Uzbekistan, the Austrian Alps, Tbilisi), she loves revisiting old favourites (Mauritius, the Dolomites, Istanbul) and spending summer in the mountains - especially when hiking or wrapped in a spa robe.
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